Researchers in the ESRC-funded Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Digit), based in the University of Sussex Business School, have published new briefings in collaboration with EU policy organisations. 

Dr Ayomikun Idowu, Monica Richards and Professor Jacqueline O'Reilly, Digit Co-Director, have co-authored a report on 'Digital entrepreneurship on retail platforms: A way to formalise employment for young people in the UK and Nigeria', published as part of the International Organisation of Employers' work on Employment, Skills and Digitalisation. 

The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) represents the voice of business in the International Labour Organisation, and social and policy debates in the UN. It is the largest private sector network in the world, representing 50 million businesses through 150 national employers' organisations.

The research on which the report is based was funded through the first round of Digit's Innovation Fund and explores whether digital retail platforms such as Depop (in the UK) and Jumia and Jiji.ng (in Africa) have potential to offer a sustainable income for young people.

New policy briefing on Chinese regulation of algorithms

Digit Research Fellow Dr Steve Rolf has also published in a new policy briefing about new regulations on algorithms introduced in China, in collaboration with think tank Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). 'China's regulations on algorithms: Context, impact and comparisons with the EU' places the Regulations in the context of recent shifts toward digital regulation within China, examines the broad scope of the Regulations, and explores the impact these may have across society.

It looks in particular at the consequences of algorithmic management for work and workers (and particularly for the platform economy), and what impact the Regulations may have on this field. Finally, it contrasts the Regulations with comparable initiatives in the European Union. Dr Rolf argues that China’s combination of a stringent regulatory system with expansive industrial policy aimed at pushing toward the technological frontier constitutes a formidable means of socially embedding the digital economy.

Dr Rolf's FES policy briefing has also informed the submission of written evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into the Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  

Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology cites work by Dr Emma Russell

 A new POSTnote (briefing) by the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST) cites the book, Agile Working and Well-Being in the Digital Age, co-edited by Dr Emma Russell and Dr Christine Grant, published in 2021. 

The POSTnote, ‘Invisible Disabilities in Education and Employment‘, published on 12 January 2023, also cites research into the remote e-working experiences of Disabled and Neurodivergent Workers (DNW)*, supported by Digit’s Innovation Fund. The project was led by Dr Christine Grant at the University of Coventry, working with Dr Russell as the lead Digit researcher. The ‘Remote for All' research project revealed a substantial gap in the academic knowledge of DNW’s experiences of remote e-working and highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

*This is a UK based term, other terms are used in different contexts and internationally.